Artículo

Halep downs Davis in marathon but the Barty party is over

It was a landmark Saturday at Melbourne Park as Simona Halep and Lauren Davis equalled the record for the longest match in Australian Open women's singles history.

Top seed Halep came from a set down to prevail 4-6 6-4 15-13, the 48 games matching the previous mark reached by Chanda Rubin and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in 1996.

Angelique Kerber prevailed against Maria Sharapova in the battle between the only two grand slam winners left in the draw, while Karolina Pliskova and Carolina Garcia also made it to the fourth round after respective wins over Lucie Safarova and Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

The wait for a home women's champion will extend into a 41st year after Barty went down 6-4 6-2 to the unseeded Osaka.

Ranked 72nd in the world, Osaka's next challenge comes in the form of Halep, and the Japanese joked she was feeling tired just watching the Romanian's gruelling clash with Davis.

"I was sweating more watching that match than I was with my match," said a smiling Osaka. "But, yeah, I've played her twice, and both times it was three sets.

"I had fun both times. I feel like I learned a lot. I feel playing the number one is really an honour. No matter what happens, I'll try my best. I'll just see what happens from there."

"I don't really have that many opportunities to play in front of such a big crowd (with) such a good atmosphere. Ash, she's been playing really well. I feel like I shouldn't get upset if I lose a point because she's one of the best players in the world."@Naomi_Osaka_#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/hiSy2c4KlH